The TT Football Club

Was Marin ever given a run with the first team? I don't seem to recall him making any appearances of late... I remember last summer we all were going on about how he was going to absolutely tear it up this season, sad that he hasn't.

And will Arsenal spend? Do they ever?

Click to expand...

I think he's had a few little injuries, i'm not sure he's been fully fit at any point. When he has been given a chance he's fallen well short, remember he should of been sent off about 5 minutes into a game around Christmas? Might of been against QPR at home, where we ended up losing.

It will be interesting to see if they look to use him as part of a deal to bring a player in, sell him to get a fee, or stick with him for another year.

Totally agree, Torres should go to give the new man a free run at asserting himself, he would also bring in a transfer fee. Ba is a nice option, he will get alot of playing time as there are so many games these days.

Oscar has been a nice surprise, he was supposed to go out on loan originally but after he scored those two amazing goals against Juventus a few weeks into the season, the club seemed to change their mind. I think we did pretty well regarding transfers last season. Azpilicueta has been one of the best right backs in the Country, along with Zabaleta and Rafael. Moses has been our best player in the European competitions. The only one that hasn't really worked out is Marin.

What are the Arsenal plans for the summer, is Wenger going to spend?

Click to expand...

Chelsea did well for themselves last summer indeed.

Read a rumor the other day that Alex Song wanted to go back to Arsenal. Either way, it would be nice to see a defensive midfielder. Maybe Tiote? Arteta has done well playing deep, he was brilliant against QPR in keeping the ball in the offensive side. Supposedly Arsene was to be given 70 million to spend in the summer, but we'll see about that. A striker that can finish and a defensive midfielder would be nice. I still think Giroud will come good in the long run, but for now a strong finisher in front of goal is necessary. Podolski has not been impressive in that position the last two weeks or so.

I think he's had a few little injuries, i'm not sure he's been fully fit at any point. When he has been given a chance he's fallen well short, remember he should of been sent off about 5 minutes into a game around Christmas? Might of been against QPR at home, where we ended up losing.

It will be interesting to see if they look to use him as part of a deal to bring a player in, sell him to get a fee, or stick with him for another year.

Click to expand...

Send him with de Brunye to Dortmund with 30 million in hand in exchange for Lewandowski and Gundogan.

Read a rumor the other day that Alex Song wanted to go back to Arsenal. Either way, it would be nice to see a defensive midfielder. Maybe Tiote? Arteta has done well playing deep, he was brilliant against QPR in keeping the ball in the offensive side. Supposedly Arsene was to be given 70 million to spend in the summer, but we'll see about that. A striker that can finish and a defensive midfielder would be nice. I still think Giroud will come good in the long run, but for now a strong finisher in front of goal is necessary. Podolski has not been impressive in that position the last two weeks or so.

Click to expand...

Song and Fab both want to go back as they are finding it difficult to displace Busquets and Iniesta, respectively. Fab shouldn't leave because when Xavi calls it a day Iniesta will take his position and Fab will take Iniesta's old spot. Song should have never gone; look at how they favor Catalan players - Mascherano was miles better as a defensive midfielder than Busquets yet Busquets gets the nod over him. Back when he was at Liverpool Masch was the best defensive midfielder on the planet. If you aren't better than the backup, why even make the move? Arsene laughs all the way to the bank, again.

With 70 million Arsene will get a few youngsters and use the rest to pay off some other project so the club go that much closer to being financially independent. The chances of him actually investing in the first team are slim to none. With that said Tiote at Arsenal would be awesome.

Read a rumor the other day that Alex Song wanted to go back to Arsenal. Either way, it would be nice to see a defensive midfielder. Maybe Tiote? Arteta has done well playing deep, he was brilliant against QPR in keeping the ball in the offensive side. Supposedly Arsene was to be given 70 million to spend in the summer, but we'll see about that. A striker that can finish and a defensive midfielder would be nice. I still think Giroud will come good in the long run, but for now a strong finisher in front of goal is necessary. Podolski has not been impressive in that position the last two weeks or so.

Click to expand...

I think the spine in general is in need of improvement. I'd of thought Lewandowski would be great for Arsenal, at £25 Million i'd imagine he would be within budget. For midfield I think they're looking at the right player, Gonalons at Lyon would add an awful lot to Arsenal, the style of player he is and also the fact he is a leader, something Arsenal don't really have. Other than that, a tough centre back and a keeper would improve Arsenal no end I think.

Lewandowski, Gonalons, Williams and Begovic. That's probably £50-60 Million right there. It might seem alot, but in a League where you have to spend every summer just to maintain your current position, it seems about right.

Send him with de Brunye to Dortmund with 30 million in hand in exchange for Lewandowski and Gundogan.

Yeah I know it's not realistic....but hey, I can dream, can't I?

Click to expand...

Who knows if it's realistic, it could be! They certainly want de Bruyne, they've had a £17 Million bid turned down already. Maybe if they get Sahin back from Madrid they could be tempted to let Gundogan go if Chelsea include de Bruyne.

What do we think about all the talk coming out tonight, regarding Ferguson and him possibly stepping down before Sunday's game with Swansea?

I hope he stays, Ferguson v Mourinho for another year or two before stepping aside would be a good way to go out.

Click to expand...

I've just heard the news!

Crazy to think he'd call it quits before a match, but methinks no matter what happens he'll be at United in some regard until the day he dies. Moyes as manager with Fergie as director of football and serving as a mentor would be perfect. He should also try to get as many United legends back in everything from scouting to coaching and everything in between. Just to carry on the vibe Fergie established within the club.

Crazy to think he'd call it quits before a match, but methinks no matter what happens he'll be at United in some regard until the day he dies. Moyes as manager with Fergie as director of football and serving as a mentor would be perfect. He should also try to get as many United legends back in everything from scouting to coaching and everything in between. Just to carry on the vibe Fergie established within the club.

Click to expand...

I saw Moyes odds improved throughout the day, the feeling was that he would be assistant to Ferguson for next season, before taking over in a years time. Maybe that's what the annoucement could be about? Although Ferguson has always said he would just announce it and go that very day, he doesn't want the whole goodbye tour, players not playing as hard as they know there is a new manager coming in etc.. Who knows.

It would really be interesting if Fergie goes... who'd replace him?... Moyes? (who despite all the praise has won exactly nothing ever as far as I can recall)... would Mourinho come into the frame?... who of the world's great coaches would be under consideration. Whoever it is, that would be one incredibly hard act to follow.

It would really be interesting if Fergie goes... who'd replace him?... Moyes? (who despite all the praise has won exactly nothing ever as far as I can recall)... would Mourinho come into the frame?... who of the world's great coaches would be under consideration. Whoever it is, that would be one incredibly hard act to follow.

Click to expand...

Mourinho won't, the likes of Bobby Charlton and the people with a say at Man Utd wouldn't want the baggage that comes with Mourinho. That seems to be the only thing that people question about Chelsea bringing him back, and we're not exactly known for being angels. If Chelsea have a few reservations, you can be sure Man Utd do!

I think it will be Moyes, but Klopp would be better. I think it's the ideal club for Klopp, he's never going to manage a team like Madrid or Chelsea. Who does that really leave? Barcelona, Munich, City, PSG? I think Man Utd would be his choice.

Yeah, i'm really not sure how to judge his time in Madrid. Personally, I don't think he had the right kind of players. Mourinho's teams are just that, they are all close to each other and the team spirit is part of what makes them win things. In Madrid, everyone was out for themselves. He told the story about Essien inviting everyone to his birthday party, only Mourinho and a few of the fringe players turned up for him. It sounds like a horrible place to manage and play.

I also have to ask, how good are the players he had to work with? They certainly aren't bad, but are they better individually than Barcelona, Munich, even Chelsea who won the competition they all want in Madrid last year? Are Benzema and Higuain that great? Is Ozil better than Messi, Mata, Bale etc..? Di Maria was a flop before Mourinho even got there. Arbeloa, Pepe, is Casillas really that good these days? I can name a handful of keepers who i'd rate higher than him.

A La Liga title, a couple of Spanish cups, a handful of Champions League semi's. To me, with what he had to work with, it seems about right.

Mourinho's behaviour this last week has been outrageous even for his own standards. Recent polls show that about 90% of fans are convinced he is deliberately trying to be sacked. His strategy of developping a tribal mentality with a tight knit group of players that become blindly loyal and highly motivated, has completely failed. Players are fed up with him, just like everybody else. He was loudly booed in the last game at Bernabeu and I suppose he will be booed even louder tonight against Malaga. The press have turned to calling the president a wimp for putting up with so much nonsense.

Paul Parker had a pretty critical piece on his return to Chelsea yesterday:

Very interesting to hear from Ancelotti on Abravovic and his quest to find a manager who can give his team the style and image he craves. Although judging by that, why would he want to return to Jose? Anyhow...

Although Abramovich clearly demands immediate success, he also longs for a manager to create a recognisable identity for the team. Carlo Ancelotti, who was also sacked in 2011, reflected this when he detailed his meetings with Abramovich for his 2009 autobiography.
“He was and still is looking for a team with a precise identity. ‘Like Manchester United, Liverpool, Milan, certainly not like my Chelsea’,” wrote Ancelotti. “He doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable, not even when he says with a low voice, ‘We’ve just lost the Champions League final and the league, I certainly can’t be satisfied. Chelsea don’t have a personality.
I have the ambition of winning every competition in which my team takes part but this is a team that, at the moment, I don’t recognise’.”

Mourinho's behaviour this last week has been outrageous even for his own standards. Recent polls show that about 90% of fans are convinced he is deliberately trying to be sacked. His strategy of developping a tribal mentality with a tight knit group of players that become blindly loyal and highly motivated, has completely failed. Players are fed up with him, just like everybody else. He was loudly booed in the last game at Bernabeu and I suppose he will be booed even louder tonight against Malaga. The press have turned to calling the president a wimp for putting up with so much nonsense.

Paul Parker had a pretty critical piece on his return to Chelsea yesterday:

Yeah, i'm really not sure how to judge his time in Madrid. Personally, I don't think he had the right kind of players. Mourinho's teams are just that, they are all close to each other and the team spirit is part of what makes them win things. In Madrid, everyone was out for themselves. He told the story about Essien inviting everyone to his birthday party, only Mourinho and a few of the fringe players turned up for him. It sounds like a horrible place to manage and play.

I also have to ask, how good are the players he had to work with? They certainly aren't bad, but are they better individually than Barcelona, Munich, even Chelsea who won the competition they all want in Madrid last year? Are Benzema and Higuain that great? Is Ozil better than Messi, Mata, Bale etc..? Di Maria was a flop before Mourinho even got there. Arbeloa, Pepe, is Casillas really that good these days? I can name a handful of keepers who i'd rate higher than him.

A La Liga title, a couple of Spanish cups, a handful of Champions League semi's. To me, with what he had to work with, it seems about right.

Click to expand...

Casillas, whilst not in his prime anymore (When he was clearly the best keeper with Buffon) is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Mourinho actually refuses to play him. Even guys like Iniesta have called him out for not using Casillas. I think he made two of the most insane saves I've ever seen last season.

If you can only names a couple of keepers ahead of him then he's clearly not doing bad.

Mourinho wasn't given the 2000-04 squad with the likes of Carlos, Hierro, Salgado, Makelele, Flavio, Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Raul, Helguera, Guti. He was given Ronaldo. Except for Casillas, no other player would get in the starting lineup from this current Madrid squad to their squad of 2003.

Alex Fergusson is a genius. Man Utd will never be the same. I feel Mourinho is probably the only guy who is confident enough to step into such a position given what the last guy did. Fergusson retired with a team for now and the future.

Casillas, whilst not in his prime anymore (When he was clearly the best keeper with Buffon) is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Mourinho actually refuses to play him. Even guys like Iniesta have called him out for not using Casillas. I think he made two of the most insane saves I've ever seen last season.

If you can only names a couple of keepers ahead of him then he's clearly not doing bad.

Mourinho wasn't given the 2000-04 squad with the likes of Carlos, Hierro, Salgado, Makelele, Flavio, Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Raul, Helguera, Guti. He was given Ronaldo. Except for Casillas, no other player would get in the starting lineup from this current Madrid squad to their squad of 2003.

Alex Fergusson is a genius. Man Utd will never be the same. I feel Mourinho is probably the only guy who is confident enough to step into such a position given what the last guy did. Fergusson retired with a team for now and the future.

Click to expand...

Yeah, they don't seem to be missing Casillas all that much though! Lopez has been really good, whenever i've seen him play this season. That was a great signing I think.

Some priceless quotes here from a giant of British football who will never be bettered surely. My favs being his Cantona comments, Keane and Anzhagi/Italians remarks.

ON ERIC CANTONA
"If ever there was one player, anywhere in the world, that was made for Manchester United, it was Cantona. He swaggered in, stuck his chest out, raised his head and surveyed everything as though he were asking: 'I'm Cantona. How big are you? Are you big enough for me?'"

ON WINNING THE EUROPEAN CUP IN 1999
(Speaking after Roy Keane's inspired performance in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League against Juventus after receiving a booking which meant he would miss the final)
"It was the most emphatic display of selflessness I have seen on a football field. Pounding over every blade of grass, competing if he would rather die of exhaustion than lose, he inspired all around him. I felt such an honour to be associated with such a player."

(Ferguson's half-time team-talk during the 1999 European Cup final with Bayern Munich)
"At the end of this game, the European Cup will be only six feet away from you, and you’ll not even able to touch it if we lose. And for many of you, that will be the closest you will ever get. Don’t you dare come back in here without giving your all."

ON ARSENE WENGER AND ARSENAL
"They say he's an intelligent man, right? Speaks five languages. I've got a 15-year-old boy from the Ivory Coast who speaks five languages!"
"He's a novice and should keep his opinions to Japanese football."

ON DENNIS WISE
"He could start a row in an empty house."

ON JOSE MOURINHO
"He was certainly full of it, calling me 'Boss' and 'Big Man' when we had our post-match drink after the first leg. But it would help if his greetings were accompanied by a decent glass of wine. What he gave me was paint-stripper."

ON RETIRED ITALIAN STRIKER FILIPPO INZAGHI
"Inzaghi was born in an offside position."

ON THE ITALIANS
"When an Italian tells me it's pasta on the plate, I check under the sauce to make sure. They are the inventors of the smokescreen."

ON RYAN GIGGS
"The first time I saw him, he was 13 and just floated over the ground like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of paper in the wind."

Casillas is still a better shot stopper. I don't understand why you wouldn't play him; He's a Madrid legend, pretty much irreplaceable.

Click to expand...

Yeah it's a strange one, not playing him. I think it was some sort of punishment at first, apparently he's known for leaking things to the press and they were saying Mourinho saw it as damaging to the team. Lopez is a great alternative though. Having had Hilario and Turnbull as backup for the last few years, I know i'd be glad having someone like that backing Cech up

Yeah it's a strange one, not playing him. I think it was some sort of punishment at first, apparently he's known for leaking things to the press and they were saying Mourinho saw it as damaging to the team. Lopez is a great alternative though. Having had Hilario and Turnbull as backup for the last few years, I know i'd be glad having someone like that backing Cech up

Click to expand...

Rumour has it Iker is off to Arsenal, yeah he's married to a sports journalist, and yes he is known for leaking things. But he also happens to be the guy who keeps the peace between Barca and Madrid.

I think Hazard had an injury. He's had one for the last week and was a doubt for the game, so i'm not too upset about that one. Taking Oscar off and putting Benayoun on though? That was just, weird.

As for the equaliser, yes it was offside. I don't know if it's because of the sheer number of games, but we've had so many poor decisions go against us lately that i'm not too disappointed about another one going against us. It's starting to feel normal, which is sad, but there you go.

Better second half from Spurs and could have even nicked in at the end but we always looked under threat with Chelsea having such excellent and in form players.

Best game Ade has had for us this season. You can't help but think if he had played like that through the season it would have helped slightly. Overall cannot grumble but now it is out of our hands and back to Chelsea and Arsenal to slip up and for us to win our last games.

Whatever happens though, I'm really looking forward to seeing what AVB can do with some extra summer additions and a year under his belt at WHL.

That's probably why Mourinho has taken a disliking to him, he's known for hating Barcelona

I think Hazard had an injury. He's had one for the last week and was a doubt for the game, so i'm not too upset about that one. Taking Oscar off and putting Benayoun on though? That was just, weird.

As for the equaliser, yes it was offside. I don't know if it's because of the sheer number of games, but we've had so many poor decisions go against us lately that i'm not too disappointed about another one going against us. It's starting to feel normal, which is sad, but there you go.

Casillas is still a better shot stopper. I don't understand why you wouldn't play him; He's a Madrid legend, pretty much irreplaceable.

Click to expand...

You answered your own question: he's irreplaceable. He knows that, and has used that to his advantage, which is why he's in Mou's doghouse. He's been leaking things to the media since day one which isn't good (it's never good to circumvent your boss) and he's put up a massive stink about not playing. Is he one of the best in the world? Absolutely. But he got injured, and the player brought to replace his presence in net has been playing out of his mind from the first day at training. He wants to be able to use his leverage with the fans, the media and the club hierarchy to walk straight back into the XI without having to work for it. It doesn't matter if you're Messi or playing for a pub team - if there's a guy who's in better form than you in your spot and you aren't fighting to regain your spot, you're not going to play.

That's what they're saying! Check the articles in tomorrows papers, i've chosen this one as the photoshop picture of Rooney is hilarious. I think they've put his head on Mata when he was celebrating his goal at the weekend, if I was Mata, i'd sue

That's what they're saying! Check the articles in tomorrows papers, i've chosen this one as the photoshop picture of Rooney is hilarious. I think they've put his head on Mata when he was celebrating his goal at the weekend, if I was Mata, i'd sue

That's absurd - we don't need Rooney. Would he be nice to have? Sure, but I'd prefer a defensive midfielder, a center back (because let's be honest - Luiz isn't going to play center half anymore, he's a midfielder) and a replacement for when Ashley Cole calls it a day after next season.

That's absurd - we don't need Rooney. Would he be nice to have? Sure, but I'd prefer a defensive midfielder, a center back (because let's be honest - Luiz isn't going to play center half anymore, he's a midfielder) and a replacement for when Ashley Cole calls it a day after next season.

Click to expand...

Especially when the price mentioned is £25 Million, that's what Dortmund want for Lewandowski! He's alot younger, and imo, better than Rooney.

Madrid don't need Rooney, they've got Benzema who plays the role of physical striker and Ozil plays the false 9/supporting striker. I could only see Madrid getting Rooney if they decided to switch up to a more direct style of play with the midfielders providing the width and playing a central 3 or a central 2 with a supporting trequartista.

If Ancelotti gets named manager I could actually see him doing that....if he tries to implement the same christmas-tree formation he installed at Chelsea.

Madrid don't need Rooney, they've got Benzema who plays the role of physical striker and Ozil plays the false 9/supporting striker. I could only see Madrid getting Rooney if they decided to switch up to a more direct style of play with the midfielders providing the width and playing a central 3 or a central 2 with a supporting trequartista.

If Ancelotti gets named manager I could actually see him doing that....if he tries to implement the same christmas-tree formation he installed at Chelsea.

Wonder who Everton - who seem to have been forgotten about amidst all the Fergie quitting/Moyes to Utd and Jose to Chelsea etc hoopla - have in mind then? Be interesting to see if they follow in the footsteps of, say, Swansea and Southampton, and go a bit adventurous and innovative. A real opportunity methinks.

Wonder who Everton - who seem to have been forgotten about amidst all the Fergie quitting/Moyes to Utd and Jose to Chelsea etc hoopla - have in mind then? Be interesting to see if they follow in the footsteps of, say, Swansea and Southampton, and go a bit adventurous and innovative. A real opportunity methinks.

Click to expand...

I think it might be time for Martinez, it will be interesting to see how he does with the players they have though, the squad doesn't seem like it's built to play the way he likes to.

Great news, so Fergie arguably the most successful British manager of all time (although certainly not the best in my opinion) is finally leaving, and he is being replaced by Moyes who has never won anything lol

Especially when the price mentioned is £25 Million, that's what Dortmund want for Lewandowski! He's alot younger, and imo, better than Rooney.

Click to expand...

I consider Lewandowski and RVP the best goal scorers not named Messi, Ronaldo or Falcao. I don't understand Chelsea going in for Rooney. Good news for Utd and Moyes, if Ronaldo does come back to Man Utd (Ronaldo and RVP would pretty much guarantee Man Utd the league next year).

Jimbo, Moyes worked with Everton and transformed them to a relegation-bound team to now a team pushing for Europe. That's worth something I guess. I remember back in 2002 it was Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool the top 4 clubs; Liverpool aren't even the best team in Liverpool (lol) anymore. Never thought I'd see Spurs and Everton step up like they did back in the day. Won't include Man City as they bought the league.

I think it might be time for Martinez, it will be interesting to see how he does with the players they have though, the squad doesn't seem like it's built to play the way he likes to.

Click to expand...

Well I'm sure if he comes the director will give him some money to spend, albeit not much. Everton generally have no budget to work with, but if United take some of his backroom staff and players (Baines, Felliani) I think Kenwright will be able to spare a few pounds.

Jimbo, Moyes worked with Everton and transformed them to a relegation-bound team to now a team pushing for Europe. That's worth something I guess. I remember back in 2002 it was Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool the top 4 clubs; Liverpool aren't even the best team in Liverpool (lol) anymore. Never thought I'd see Spurs and Everton step up like they did back in the day. Won't include Man City as they bought the league.

Click to expand...

You sound like an Arsenal fan, inferring winning doesn't matter lol

Also Spurs can't even get into the Champions league, if they can't get there with Bale, then when will they do it? (Sorry Ross).

Anyway, lets look at Liverpool and Everton's record while Moyes has been in charge, to compare who is the best club in liverpool over recent years.

I have total respect for Moyes, seemingly a really good bloke (and respect Fergie for that matter actually, as he did everything within his power to win, which is exactly what you want from your football manager. The only reason I didn't like him was because he was Utd's manager), but lets see how he does next year. He sure won't have the influence over refs and other team manager's that Fergie had.

I consider Lewandowski and RVP the best goal scorers not named Messi, Ronaldo or Falcao. I don't understand Chelsea going in for Rooney. Good news for Utd and Moyes, if Ronaldo does come back to Man Utd (Ronaldo and RVP would pretty much guarantee Man Utd the league next year).

Click to expand...

Hard to argue with that, i'd probably put Cavani in there somewhere too. I think with Rooney asking to leave, most papers just put 2 and 2 together and decided to link him with Chelsea, i'm not sure if there is anything real to it. When he asked to leave a few years ago his agent spoke with Chelsea as he was interested in what playing in London brings, you can pretty much go unrecognised walking around the city and I think that appealed to him.

I'm sure the club would prefer Falcao, Cavani or Lewandowski, so maybe he's a back up if those don't happen.

Well I'm sure if he comes the director will give him some money to spend, albeit not much. Everton generally have no budget to work with, but if United take some of his backroom staff and players (Baines, Felliani) I think Kenwright will be able to spare a few pounds.

Click to expand...

It will be interesting. He's done fairly well at Wigan through not spending alot. He certainly won't have alot of money at Everton, but I could see them sliding down the table with Martinez as manager.